GREETINS!

I just found the site... This is fantastic!

I'm installing and overflow drain pan under my washer.
Ultimately, I want to tie the pan's drain line into the main three inch line under the house.
My question is do I need to install a trap in the pan's drain line?

KT

Hi Bitbaby:

If you have a dirt cellar I would just run the pipe under the house and dead end it with a grated cover cap. I would not connect it into the sewer.. ok? There is no reason, too... washer should not be overflowing that frequently! ;) I think you should add this too your plan as well...

Check out this floodstop automatic shutoff out!

This valve is around $140.00 and installs at the valve of the washing machine itself. Here, you place little sensor pads inside the pan (comes with valve) that sense when overflowed water has hit the pan and it automatically shuts the water flow to the washing machine.

Will not start water flow again until you reset the valve.

Great device... many different brands out there.

Let me know what you think... Mark

If this answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you.

I just want to make a comment with massplumber's suggestion. It won't necessesarily help if the leak is in the drain line UNLESS you can turn the washing machine off. It might take some extra effort to have this happen.

Picture a full tub of water and the washer decides to drain and there is a leak in the drain. You'll dump the whole tub of water in the washer on the floor until the next load.

If the washer were to stop when water is detected then the water would cease to be pumped on the floor.

As is, it's designed against failure of the inlet hoses primarily.

To answer you question directly, yes. If you tie into the sewer line it must be trapped to prevent sewer gas. You will also have to periodically add water to replace water in the trap that has evaporated.

This is funny, 3 different answers and all are correct under certain circumstances. Do all three if you think you are unlucky. When was the last time you or your friends had an actual overflow? Got a sump pump pit, run your drain over to it, no trap needed.

Last week. Not an overflow because it was caught in time. It might not have overflowed at all. The laundry tub drain was stopped up. Since it's a dual tub, you have an overflow between the tubs for added protection.

I was talking about the washer overflowing. I had not thought of the tub overflowing since my machine drains directly into a wall drain but I know what you mean.

I was not familiar with the electronic shutoff. With the overflow drain pan and the floodstop system, I should be set. Kind of like wearing suspenders with your belt eh?

LOL

Thanks so much!

I sure do appreciate all the answers I'm getting... heheh.
This really is a helpful site.

Thank you for your answers!

The question is:

What are you trying to protect against?
a) Hose breaking
b) Fill valve sticking
c) A washing machine drain or fill failure
d) Drain being plugged

My feelings:
You should not be using the washing machine when your not home anyway. You should turn off the supplies when you go on vacation. Therefore if your really concerned your minimum protection should be a water alarm.

If your paranoid, then use the flood stop device with a contactor that will cut power to the washing machine and also sound an alarm.

If your super paranoid, put the drain pan in place, but don't bother connecting it to a sewer system. Just cut the water and power and place the sensors so hoses, and drain and bottom of washer are coverd.

I agree unless you really do feel unlucky. The chances of a washer overflow is very slim. A water heater on a first floor would be totally a different matter, they do leak and can burst.